Targeted Fertiliser Application Pays Off

MLA's Producer Demonstration Site (PDS), 'Zoning up to optimise pasture production', has hit its target of delivering cost savings to producers. The six-year project, which is due to wrap up in December 2025, focuses on validating the benefits of site-specific management of fertiliser and soil amendment treatments on properties in NSW's New England region.

Participants conducted soil testing and nutrient zone mapping to determine phosphorus and pH levels on their properties, then used variable fertiliser application (VFA) to sort out any issues impacting pasture yields.

Cost savings the biggest benefit

As the project draws to a close, PDS participant Nick Endacott feels better equipped to make informed management decisions on his cattle breeding property 'Yarroview'. Targeted application of fertiliser – a costly farm input – has benefited his bottom line and boosted the productivity of his pastures and livestock.

Nick sees the reduction in the total amount of fertiliser and the cost savings this has delivered as the biggest benefits of his involvement in the PDS. Soil testing and ongoing monitoring undertaken as part of the project have ensured this costly farm input is going where it's most needed.

"We developed a map for variable rate application of fertiliser and tested the soil every year. Some areas needed very little or none and others needed three times as much.

"Overall, we've used less, particularly after the initial year where we boosted areas that needed it. Knowing where your paddocks are at means you can target fertiliser more effectively.

"Certain areas of country have had a lot of application, so they don't need it as they now have reserves. Other areas need maintenance," Nick said.

Balancing out pasture productivity

Applying fertiliser to the right areas is not only more economical – it also gets the most out of pastures in terms of maximum productivity. This results in a more uniform growth of pasture across paddocks.

"Targeting the fertiliser where it's required means you get the whole paddock producing evenly, rather than just the sweet corner where the stock tend to hang," Nick said.

He also said it's important to correct any soil deficiencies for other nutrients and uses physical application and species such as clover to keep the balance right.

"It's the same with lime as well as your phosphate fertilisers. Once you've got the pH and phosphorous right, you still need to be mindful about where nitrogen is at.

"We plant clover and other nitrogen-fixing species into the pasture mix – even doing this, there are times of the year where there are still deficiencies, so we have to physically apply fertilisers to those areas," Nick said.

Data key to decision making

Nick has undertaken soil testing in five paddocks so far as part of the PDS. Beyond this, he's using soil testing as a key tool in establishing new paddocks.

"I'm trying to do it as economically as possible," Nick said.

Taking the guess work out of decision making is key and Nick is all for projects like this to keep producers on track and invest in farm inputs like fertiliser as efficiently as possible.

"There are plenty of alternatives and suggestions out there about improving your pastures, but where's the data to back them up? Without data, you can waste a lot of money on something that's not effective."